Raven
Well-known member
Since we had gotten such an early start, we were able to spend a lot of time at Star Lake before heading back down the Valley Way to the tent. Camp involved the usual hot drinks, dinner in a bag, lots of chocolate and trail mix, laughs, and early bed time. I woke early and jostled K awake too as the sun was just peeking over the ridge north of Madison’s summit. Sunrise from the tent. We had a quick breakfast and coffee and were headed back up. This time, we stayed on Valley Way to Madison Hut and took the Osgood Trail to the summit. It was a perfect morning on the summit and we enjoyed a long break dozing slightly in the sun and mild breeze. A number of other hikers came by including a couple starting a traverse having just come up the Daniel Webster Scout Trail. Yikes. Rough way to start.
After heading back to camp, K packed up to head out. My plan was to accompany her on the hike out but then come back up in the evening. This would be after a big roast beef sandwich and large coffee of course. K and I said our goodbyes and headed on our separate paths…in more ways than one. I’ll miss hiking with her. But I'm grateful for our time.
I was soon hiking back up the Valley Way. I stopped in at camp for awhile and had some dinner before the ridge called once again. I headed back to Madison Hut and started up the Osgood Trail just as dusk was setting in about 8:15 or so. After getting just high enough to get out of the scrub, I opted to avoid the summits as rain storms were threatening and I had already felt some drops. I headed down to Star Lake and the Parapet and watched the mountains grow darker and darker as night took hold.
I woke early again on day three and packed up for a different kind of hike. First, it was back to Star Lake again but this time I took the Buttress Trail down the slopes of Adams toward the treeline. My plan was to take this to the Six Husbands Trail and head up to Edmands Col and then back to Star Lake. I had never done Buttress or Six Husbands, but having done others on that side of the ridge, I knew what to expect in terms of a jumbled boulder treadway. Some of the trails that skirt the northern peaks are harder than the ascent routes. Progress was slower than usual, but I felt good and expected afternoon storms, so I kept a steady pace. Views into the Great Gulf opened up as the trail wound around Adams.
Continued...
After heading back to camp, K packed up to head out. My plan was to accompany her on the hike out but then come back up in the evening. This would be after a big roast beef sandwich and large coffee of course. K and I said our goodbyes and headed on our separate paths…in more ways than one. I’ll miss hiking with her. But I'm grateful for our time.
I was soon hiking back up the Valley Way. I stopped in at camp for awhile and had some dinner before the ridge called once again. I headed back to Madison Hut and started up the Osgood Trail just as dusk was setting in about 8:15 or so. After getting just high enough to get out of the scrub, I opted to avoid the summits as rain storms were threatening and I had already felt some drops. I headed down to Star Lake and the Parapet and watched the mountains grow darker and darker as night took hold.
I woke early again on day three and packed up for a different kind of hike. First, it was back to Star Lake again but this time I took the Buttress Trail down the slopes of Adams toward the treeline. My plan was to take this to the Six Husbands Trail and head up to Edmands Col and then back to Star Lake. I had never done Buttress or Six Husbands, but having done others on that side of the ridge, I knew what to expect in terms of a jumbled boulder treadway. Some of the trails that skirt the northern peaks are harder than the ascent routes. Progress was slower than usual, but I felt good and expected afternoon storms, so I kept a steady pace. Views into the Great Gulf opened up as the trail wound around Adams.
Continued...
Last edited:
